I can't print my 2015 tax return because it won't let me upgrade

[gcbrosnan]

I followed all the posted instructions, but it keeps taking me back to the main page.

[mesquitebean]

We can tell you the proper steps to upgrade and pay with credit/debit card.   Have you already done the upgrade part to PLUS but just need to pay?   If you have upgraded and have gone to the Print Center to pay but get sent back to the home page, then you are choosing the wrong option at the Print Center.   We can tell you all the steps.  Whatever you do, do not upgrade any further, or you'll have problems.

Also be aware that you may be able to download a free 2015 tax return transcript at this IRS site.  If you don't qualify for the immediate download, you can order one to come by mail, but that takes 5-10 calendar days.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript">http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript</a>

We can tell you the precise steps to upgrade and pay for PLUS (29.99) with credit/debit card.  First I need to ask some questions:

How to upgrade and pay depends on what you have done for your current 2016 return.    Have you already filed your 2016 return with Online TurboTax, or is it still in preparation?  Was the 2016 return in Free Edition?   Or was it prepared outside of TurboTax?

And is the locked 2015 return in the SAME account as the one you used/are using for the 2016 return?  

We can give you more info when you answer all the questions above.

[gcbrosnan]

I filed my 2016 tax return with the free edition of Turbo Tax in the same account as I filed my 2015 return.

I also already clicked "upgrade" for the 2016 return, but it didn't prompt me to pay, it just said that it would take it out of my return, which doesn't make sense, since I already received my return.

[mesquitebean]

You can't use that payment method for this purpose.    You need to go to the Print Center and pay with credit/debit card.
Watch for my answer below with the steps.

[mesquitebean]

Here's how to upgrade your already-filed 2016 return and pay for PLUS, by paying at the Print Center.   If you have already tried and are already in PLUS, then do not upgrade any further.  In that case, once you open your return back up you can skip to the last 3 payment steps I mention below.

NOTE:  Make sure you are in the same account as the locked 2015 return.   (you confirmed this above.)

Since you have already filed the 2016 return, here's how to open it back up and pay for the PLUS.

• Log in to TurboTax, and go to the 2016 Tax Timeline.
• Scroll to the section "Some things you can do."
• Choose "Add a state." (you don't really add one; that's just to open the return.)
• If you already tried previously and are already in PLUS, then you don't need to go back to the Upgrade area.  The upgrade option for PLUS will be grayed out.  So do not upgrade any further.
  
• So if you ae in PLUS,  then you need to pay.
• While the return is still open, click on MY ACCOUNT at the top, then choose PRINT CENTER.
• Then choose "Print/save/view this year's return."  (yes, you say "this year's".)  You won't actually have to print it.
  
• It should then prompt you to pay by credit/debit card.

NOTE:  If it should offer you the option to pay the fee out of your Federal refund, that cannot be done for this unlocking purpose.  You will need to pay by credit/debit card.

NOTE:   While you can use this method to open a return for upgrading purposes to unlock prior returns, do NOT use this method to open a return to make changes/edits to an already-filed return.   If you later need to make changes, you have to go through the formal amending process, and your return must start off exactly as originally filed.